This year’s Christmas episode lacked the emotional impact of Season 1′s quarantine and the puckishness of Season 3′s mistletoe kiss, but it did have something going for it: Shirtless Booth. (Watch the scene below.) His clothing became evidence after a man dressed as Santa robbed a bank with a bomb strapped to his chest, exited to meet Booth, and blew up. Watching Booth grow increasingly uncomfortable as Brennan slowly removed his tie, his shirt, his “cocky” belt buckle and his pants (“I’m just gonna start reciting some saints”), was worth sitting through the rest of the hour that while okay, never quite lived up to its potential. It had nice themes — no one should be alone on Christmas, there are different kinds of families, the spirit of the season is worth embracing even if you don’t believe Jesus was born in December — but I didn’t get to know the victim or his mother well enough to tear up when Bones decided that she wanted to go to the funeral because no one should have to bury her son alone on Christmas morning. “You know what, Bones, sometimes I think your heart muscle is bigger than people give you credit for,” Booth said. That’s true, but only because the writers don’t always allow her to flex that muscle when she should.
The case itself went downhill after all the goop was collected (Santa teeth and bones as shrapnel = kinda awesome). It turned out two people who met at debt counseling called the exterminator and forced him to rob the bank. A two-way radio was the trigger for the bomb, and it went off because some man with a pirate radio show came on the frequency to rail about big business corrupting democracy. In the end, he felt so bad he vowed to stop his show, signing off “Peace on Earth.” I wanted to feel something, but again, I didn’t.
Emily Deschanel’s sister Zooey guested on the episode as Margaret, a second cousin Max (Ryan O’Neal) tracked down so Brennan would think she was having a family holiday and wouldn’t spend her Christmas vacation doing volunteer work in El Salvador. Am I a total Scrooge for finding the sister jokes grating (save Booth saying “You’re right, there’s no resemblance whatsoever” after Margaret corrected him)? I can’t decide if “Margaret” was lame or needed to be an episode unto herself to be fully appreciated. Quoting Benjamin Franklin for an hour would have been annoying, but I think it’s interesting that both these women closed themselves off to others. I want to know her backstory.
Brennan ended up hosting a Christmas dinner for Max, Margaret, and her family from the Jeffersonian. It was sweet the way Booth, who didn’t have Parker this holiday, jumped up to save Brennan’s toast, as though they were the couple hosting the dinner party together. Seeing them steal a look and a smile at each other during the hand-holding moment of silence (Brennan’s compromise on Booth asking to say a prayer before eating), was also sweet. But part of me wanted the episode to end with the camera panning under the table and seeing their hands linger before they separated. Too much?
What did you think of the episode? Did they have enough fun with nearly naked Booth? (Hodgins: “Where’s your chest hair?”) Did anyone else stop and think There’s no way Brennan got Angela’s Maverick and Iceman reference? Who else wanted to slap Michelle when she told Cam she wanted to spend Christmas in Hawaii with a friend’s family? (Cam’s argument — if they didn’t spend the holiday together they’d never be a family, just two people who live together — was good, but would a teen on her way to the airport have done a 180 so quickly?) And is this the guest spot you would have chosen for Zooey?
What was that song at the end during the toast?
I think it was an instrumental of “Silent Night.” Booth made a comment to Brennan about it being a “silent night,” and that’s when the music started.
Booth’s hotness and well defined body made up for this average epi.
Booth was awesome from start to finish. He was tough and hot and adorable. Loved him being cop and working it.
Zooey character was all hype and no substance. She wasn’t needed in this episode. I missed Parker
The other xmas epis were better cos they had Parker and we saw Booth’s relationship with his son. I didn’t give a hoot about Magaret. She was annoying
Parker and Hank should of made an appearance. I don’t care about Brennan’s weirdo 2nd cousin. And yes Booth in his boxers was just totally hot.
Star of Wonder by Matt Alber is the song that was playing during the funeral scene.
It was great! Never have I been dissapointed by an episode of bones. Zooey was great and I am sure she will be on again. Love seeing booth half naked
I’ve definitely been disappointed by a Bones episode here and there, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed by this one. I thought the radio guy’s final signoff was moving, as was the emphasis on the Jeffersonian crew being each other’s family. Bones has always been great with Christmas episodes, and this year was no exception. Well done, show!
I loved this episode from beginning to end, especially the ending. From the guy sigining off on the radio, to Cam pleading for her new daughter to staying, to Christmas dinner at Brennan’s was picture perfect. Even them showing up to the bomb victim’s funeral, knowing the mother was the only one there, on Christmas day, was very touching. Good job Bones!
I think you are much too hard on this episode. I started crying the moment the scene in the car picked up tempo. “Isn’t it heartcrushing,” crushed my heart. This episode was a lovely showcase of Emily Deschanel/Brennan.
As for Maggie? She was good fun, but I agree, there maybe needed to be one more scene with her to really get the full punch of her meaning. However, the final image of Maggie smiling at Brennan, Brennan smiling at Booth, and Booth smiling at Brennan, really hit me as a wonderful example of how much Bones has grown (both as a character and a show).
I loved this show, I was crying when Brennan started talking in the car about being unloved. Great job.
I agree! One of the best episodes of this season!
Thank you, j! I cried the last 10 minutes of this episode as all the story threads came together or ended. For me, the emotional impact was all the more because it was subtler than in other episodes. By now, all the characters know each other’s quirks, but more importantly, so do WE. I feel that this episode worked not only because of what was said, but also because of how things were not said.
Agreed. Well said, Shelly.
I agree with everything you said. Thank you for putting it into words for me.
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and was surprised that I got all misty eyed at the end, don’t know if it was because of the conversation between Bones and Booth in the car or whether it was Angela reminding Bones that there are people beyond the evidence on their tables.
Regarding Zooey Deschanel I was super excited that she was on the show but I do agree that she would have been served better by a bigger story, hopefully this means that this will not be the last we see of her. I also liked the look between Angela and Hodgins at the end, hopefully this means there will be a romantic reunion soon.
It wasn’t about knowing the mother or the son enough to want to attend his funeral. It was the compassion shown for a woman who has no one and has to suffer the ultimate sorrow of burying her child on Christmas day.
Grow a heart please.
The part w/the Mother I really loved. However, the dinner party scene left a lot to be desired. I was spoiled last year w/ZZTop and also there was just something special about Parker saying “Merry Christmas Bones”.
I agree, Miranda. The focus at the funeral wasn’t about the mother or the victim so much as the compassion that Bones, Booth, and the others felt that led them to make sure a mother didn’t bury her son alone on Christmas.
I, too, enjoyed this episode (and not just because of nearly naked Booth, although that was a plus!) I think they are softening Brennan and she is starting to see that there are gray areas in life, that love does exist, and is worth it. I liked the interplay of Margaret as well- she was sort of like Brennan at the beginning of the show. I like the momentum the show has and I am excited to see where it goes… preferably with more naked Booth geting naked with Bones
Unfortunately, when this begins to happen we will know the show is about to come to an end. We all know Booth is just built. I’m over 60 and have him as a screen saer. What does that tell you. Let’s get back to Angela and Hodgins’ romance or maybe even Sweets. That was cute about Jesus being born in March. We
I also liked Margaret. Sort of a know-it-all like Bones, but in a very different way. I like that they didn’t overemphasize her and kept to the main cast more. I thought that was smart.
I wish they gave Zooey more to do! But I did love when she rolled her eyes when Bones defended Booth’s “small eyes”. And I loved loved loved Hodgins’ “Where’s your chest hair?” Is it weird that I kinda wanted Wendell at the dinner too? And Zach? (I haven’t missed Zach in ages….)
And I thought Hodgins and Angela were really cute this episode, especially at the dinner. But I don’t know why exactly….
And the case wasn’t nearly that exciting or anything…but I thought Daisy’s constant “Jesus was born in March!” was kinda funny.
I agree that it was a wonderful episode–far better than this blogger would have us believe.
I can spot Zooey Deschanel’s breathtaking eyes from a mile away (same for Emily’s, of course). It was fun seeing them together. I do hope Zooey will return for a bigger part.
OMG Boreanaz has a good body!!
DB -That man is built. What a fit hottie. Booth and his facial expressions made that scene. Really excellent job David.
I think I have watched Booth getting nearly naked way too many times, I have memorized every inch of that amazing torso and abs. He is fine. Booth was on top form tonight.
Was always hot on Angel. But dear lord I had to wipe away the drool.
I think he is a million times hotter as Booth than as Angel.
SS, I totally agree! I think it’s Booth’s sense of humor — and perhaps the evolution of his smiley eye crinkles — that make DB as Booth superior to DB as Angel.
Then there’s the fact that BB as a ship are about a million times more awesome than BuffyxAngel. But seriously. WOW on either show.
I loved that scene. One minute he is looking all hot and bothered when Bones is taking his clothes for evidence, the next Cam walks in and he looks embarrassed. Then he just looks resigned as he is being wheeled past everyone on the stretcher. Then Hodgins makes a crack about his chest hair and he looks all insulted. Great! Love a chiseled chest with no hair by the way.
I understand it had to be Daisy’s turn, as she is Sweets’ GF, and this ep was all about ‘family’… but I still don’t like her, I’m still mad at Sweets for making out with that chick in the line at Avatar, and I didn’t realize Daisy was back full-time (i thought her appearance in the last ep was a one-off thing).
that said, booth’s line about reciting the saints was funny. the scientific, yet lingering and careful/caring way that Brennan removed Booth’s clothing was telling.
questions:
whatever happened to Cam’s big-old bossy nosy family? I’m surprised that she wouldn’t take her ‘daughter’ to her family.
the heart-crushing/heart-breaking conversation made me tear up.
Margaret was underused. Please bring her back.
when did Russ get married? Max referred to “in-laws”.
and, I totally agree with Mandi that I expected a little more from a Bones holiday ep (after the first season’s emotional, and revealing one and the puckish kiss in season 3).
Jess, Daisy’s last appearance was when she was asking for a second chance (remember, Sweets gave her breathing exercises to do), and she apparently did a good enough job that they were willing to put her back in the intern rotation. I’m finding her less annoying than I used to.
Also, I don’t think Cam likes spending time with her family very much. She seems to have a rough relationship with her sister, and doesn’t seem to enjoy her time with the rest of them (remembering the episode where Booth was supposed to go to her dad’s birthday party with her).
I think Russ married the woman he was with, the one with the two little girls. He said he wanted to become their dad for real, so I guess it happened.
And last, totally agree that while this episode was ok, nowhere near as good as seasons one or three.
I still thought the second chance episode was just that… and not to bring her back into the regular intern rotation. she’s still irritating.
Even if you find your family irritating, you generally spend a holiday with them. Cam’s family is localish (either DC or NYC), and I stand by my assertion that her family would want to spend time with a new niece/granddaughter.
I also assumed Russ married his long-time girlfrie – but when? You would think that Brennan would have gone to the wedding. Even with her emotional disconnect, she still enjoys attending social events for the anthropological aspects. and can you imagine Auntie Temperance as a bridesmaid?
Comedic/emotional gold, totally glossed over.
I assume that Russ and Amy have a commonlaw marriage, since they have lived together for so long… or they might have had a courthouse wedding. I can’t see them wanting a big ceremony.
I think they’re doing a great job with Daisy, as she seems to be one of the few interns that they have let grow and change and become more fleshed out. Of course she was annoying in the beginning (and still is to some extent). There has to be something for her to grow out of, right?
I have to agree with Miranda. There isn’t ever enough of the side-characters to truly make us care THAT much, it was just the thought of burying your only child on Christmas that did it for me. Some other things:
-Bones only has one parent, Booth is a single dad. I think she was actually sympathetic before she was logical, which is a big step, and the tiny nod to Booth’s logic “isn’t it heartcrushing,” was a nice way to show that each can play the other’s role if they need it.
-If you made Maggie the villain/suspect/victim, she wouldn’t have much room for growth as a recurring character, like Gordon Gordon or Daisy.
-Anyone know what a “perfect chromium” is?
Bones said he had a “perfect acromion”. It’s the top of the shoulder blade.
Well I loved the beginning of the episode where Brennan was undressing Booth which was hott! I’m hoping they end up getting together soon! and i love the margaret and temperance relationship in the episode. Even though they are 2nd cousins and don’t really know each other… they have things in common emotional wise!
And i hope Angela and Hodgins do get together again… I don’t like Angela with the blonde intern! Just not right! No complaints about this episode from me!
A disappointing, totally ho-hum episode. Love Zooey D. but she was wasted w/ a character that went beyond “quirky” and all the way to “stupid.”
i was sad they did not use Zooey better her character was ok but needed more lines/time to shine hope they bring her back if Zooey’s other committments don’t get in way….reciting the saints was one of funniest things on TV this year
I actually didn’t find her constant quoting of Benjamin Franklin as annoying as everyone else did. There’s a character from the book “A Wrinkle in Time,” Mrs. Who, and she is constantly quoting others because she finds it easier than trying to express herself in her own words. I kind of got that feeling from Zooey’s character, especially when Brennan said to her that she’d rather hear what she had to say in her own words, and Zooey’s character said something like, “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
I thought it was a good analogy for people who like to quote the Bible at you right and left. Yes you’re religious, that’s great. But I’m not, so a good fat lot of help that does me. Tell me what YOU think. Of course I’ve never met anyone that bad about it.
I thought Bones saying something akin to well then isn’t it heart-crushing was actually very touching. My Mom and I both awed at the screen.
And David being stripped was brilliant… of course.
I dont know about anyone else but I nearly cried my eyes out at the funeral scene. Booth being stripped was great…I loved the episode!!! The only thing I dont like is Daisy…